His Sweet Reward

“Maybe another time.” He winks and then walks out of my classroom before I can wrap my mind around what he just said.

Gah. What the hell was that all about? I hope he doesn’t enroll his kid here. That would make it super awkward. I decide to shake it off because he might be new here and didn’t mean it like a date. Maybe he’s just looking for friends—and then I feel guilty. Oh well, there’s nothing I can do about it now.

When I get home Blair isn’t there yet and I’m safe from an interrogation. She’s always coming and going at random hours and I never know if she’ll be here or not. I scribble down a note and leave it on the small dining room table for her. If I text her to tell her I’ll be out for the night, that will lead to a million more questions.

I don’t know why I’m avoiding telling them about Dash. I think part of me doesn’t want to hear about him being out on other dates with my girlfriends. I want to get to know him on my own. It might be naïve, but this is the first guy I’ve felt anything for, so I’m trusting myself on this one.

I do a once-over in the mirror and touch up my lip gloss. I didn’t put much effort into how I looked last night, but tonight is different. I want him to see me as cute and maybe even sexy. He didn’t tell me where we’re going but he did say to wear comfortable shoes. I ditch my wide-leg slacks and flats for jeans and a pair of sneakers.

A knock on the door alerts me I’m out of time and I half run to the door and pull it open. We have to get out of here as fast as possible because we could run into the women he’s already been out with.

“Did you open the door without looking?” I don’t pay attention to what he’s saying because he’s as handsome in his suit as he is in a pair of jeans and a T-shirt. His hair’s ruffled a bit and I’m guessing he didn’t give it any attention when he changed. Maybe he was in a hurry to see me too. “You shouldn’t open doors without looking.”

“Okay.” I was in such a hurry to see him my solo focus was on changing and getting to the door.

He shakes his head at me before he grabs me and pulls me into his body. My hands rest on his chest as his mouth comes down onto mine. That’s when I forget about everything else in the world and enjoy the feel of him against me.

“Dash.” I moan his name as he pulls his mouth from mine.

“Do you always taste this good?”

“I don’t think I taste as good as mint chip,” I tease, earning a smile from him.

“You taste better. I promise.” He takes my hand. “Lock your door and let’s go.”

“I’m normally good about the door, but I was distracted, which is completely your fault.” I do as he says and we take the elevator downstairs.

“I guess you’ll have to move in with me so I can keep an eye on you. I can’t let your lack of safety go unchecked.” When we get outside we walk over to the same car from last night and he opens the door for me. “Since it’s my fault.”

“We are getting married and having an imaginary baby. I suppose that’s the next logical step.” I laugh as I get into the back of the car and he follows in after me. This fake baby and marriage sounds way too good for a second date.

“How was school?” He grabs my hand again and his fingers intertwine with mine.

“Good, we spent a lot of time coloring before I broke out the bubbles. It was too nice out today to stay in the classroom. How was your day?” My days normally pass quickly, but today dragged on. It was fun sneaking texts to Dash, but time felt as though it was standing still most of the day. I wanted to see Dash so badly my eyes kept drifting back to the clock. That was another reason I’d taken us all outside—distraction.

“Long.” He lifts our locked hands and kisses the back of mine. “I missed you.”

“I missed you too.” I lean over, wanting another kiss, but I remember we have a driver. “Are you going to tell me where you’re taking me?”

“Have you ever been to a renaissance festival?”

“No.” I smile, enjoying another first with Dash. I think it’s going to be the start of many.

Chapter Eight

Dash

“You have got to be kidding me.” Brooklyn stops at the entrance and looks at me with wide eyes.

“Is that a good reaction or a bad one?”